Sectarian violence in Pakistan results in dozens of deaths – AP
Clashes broke out following a recent lethal assault on Shiite Muslims in northwestern Pakistan, which allegedly resulted in the deaths of 37 individuals. Read Full Article at RT.com.
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Clashes have erupted following a recent deadly assault on Shiite Muslims, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of 37 individuals.
A senior police officer from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a northwestern province in Pakistan, announced to AP on Saturday that at least 37 people were killed and 47 injured during the sectarian violence.
The fighting flared up in the mountainous area bordering Afghanistan soon after gunmen targeted two separate convoys of Shia pilgrims who were accompanied by police escorts in Kurram. The initial attack allegedly left 42 dead and injured 20 others, yet no group has claimed responsibility for these acts.
“Fighting between Shiite and Sunni communities continues at multiple locations. According to the latest reports, 32 people have been killed, which include 14 Sunnis and 18 Shiites,” the official informed the news agency.
In retaliation for the assault, Shiite Muslims launched raids on several Sunni locations in Kurram on Friday evening. This area has a long-standing history of sectarian conflict between Shia and Sunni factions, which has resulted in numerous fatalities over the years. Shiite Muslims comprise about 15% of Pakistan's 240 million population, which is predominantly Sunni.
“Around 7 pm, a group of enraged Shiite individuals attacked the Sunni-dominated Bagan Bazaar,” a senior police officer stated, as reported by Agence France-Presse.
Saleem Shah, the station house police officer in Kurram, told AP that armed men in Bagan and Bacha Kot set fire to shops, houses, and government property while heavy gunfire erupted between the Alizai and Bagan tribes in the Lower Kurram region.
“Educational institutions in Kurram are closed due to the severe tension. Both sides are targeting each other with heavy and automatic weapons,” Shah remarked.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
A senior police officer from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a northwestern province in Pakistan, announced to AP on Saturday that at least 37 people were killed and 47 injured during the sectarian violence.
The fighting flared up in the mountainous area bordering Afghanistan soon after gunmen targeted two separate convoys of Shia pilgrims who were accompanied by police escorts in Kurram. The initial attack allegedly left 42 dead and injured 20 others, yet no group has claimed responsibility for these acts.
“Fighting between Shiite and Sunni communities continues at multiple locations. According to the latest reports, 32 people have been killed, which include 14 Sunnis and 18 Shiites,” the official informed the news agency.
In retaliation for the assault, Shiite Muslims launched raids on several Sunni locations in Kurram on Friday evening. This area has a long-standing history of sectarian conflict between Shia and Sunni factions, which has resulted in numerous fatalities over the years. Shiite Muslims comprise about 15% of Pakistan's 240 million population, which is predominantly Sunni.
“Around 7 pm, a group of enraged Shiite individuals attacked the Sunni-dominated Bagan Bazaar,” a senior police officer stated, as reported by Agence France-Presse.
Saleem Shah, the station house police officer in Kurram, told AP that armed men in Bagan and Bacha Kot set fire to shops, houses, and government property while heavy gunfire erupted between the Alizai and Bagan tribes in the Lower Kurram region.
“Educational institutions in Kurram are closed due to the severe tension. Both sides are targeting each other with heavy and automatic weapons,” Shah remarked.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
